Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso broke ground on the Medical Sciences Building II, a 219,900-square-foot facility slated for completion in the next two years. Perkins + Will designed the $83 million project in Spanish Renaissance style. Sundt Construction Inc. is contracted to build the five-story facility, which will more than double the campus’ research capacity and support its growing student population.

“This building is integral to our vision for TTUHSC El Paso,” Richard Lange, university president, said in prepared remarks. “This will enable us to recruit more researchers to tackle our region’s medical challenges, increase student enrollment in our programs and ultimately retain some of the nation’s most well-prepared, culturally competent health care professionals right here in the borderland.”

Rendering of Medical Sciences Building II, TTUHSC El Paso

Located at 137 N. Concepcion, with easy access to interstates 10 and 110, the facility is less than five miles from El Paso International Airport and minutes from Fox Plaza shopping center. The building’s second, third and fourth floors, totaling more than 87,000 square feet, will be dedicated to research space—including laboratories, offices and research administration. The first floor will feature a 9,200-square-foot teaching auditorium, the campus’ largest yet, with a capacity of up to 500 people, and an adjoining dining and food services area. The facility will also feature a library, a reflection room, classrooms, student study rooms and administration. The Spanish Renaissance-inspired exterior will boast ornate columns, red-tiled roofs and archways.

The largest part of the project’s funding, $75 million, was secured by the 84th Texas Legislature in 2015 under House Bill 100. The remaining $8 million was covered by TTUHSC El Paso.